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. 2022 Oct 27;17(10):e0276718.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276718. eCollection 2022.

Socioeconomic inequality in the prevalence of low birth weight and its associated determinants in Bangladesh

Md Jahangir Alam  1 , Md Merajul Islam  2 , Md Maniruzzaman  3 , N A M Faisal Ahmed  4 , Most Tawabunnahar  2 , Md Jahanur Rahman  1 , Dulal Chandra Roy  1 , Janardhan Mydam  5   6   7
Affiliations

Socioeconomic inequality in the prevalence of low birth weight and its associated determinants in Bangladesh

Md Jahangir Alam et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background and objective: Low birth weight (LBW) is a major risk factor of child mortality and morbidity during infancy (0-3 years) and early childhood (3-8 years) in low and lower-middle-income countries, including Bangladesh. LBW is a vital public health concern in Bangladesh. The objective of the research was to investigate the socioeconomic inequality in the prevalence of LBW among singleton births and identify the significantly associated determinants of singleton LBW in Bangladesh.

Materials and methods: The data utilized in this research was derived from the latest nationally representative Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey, 2017-18, and included a total of 2327 respondents. The concentration index (C-index) and concentration curve were used to investigate the socioeconomic inequality in LBW among the singleton newborn babies. Additionally, an adjusted binary logistic regression model was utilized for calculating adjusted odds ratio and p-value (<0.05) to identify the significant determinants of LBW.

Results: The overall prevalence of LBW among singleton births in Bangladesh was 14.27%. We observed that LBW rates were inequitably distributed across the socioeconomic groups (C-index: -0.096, 95% confidence interval: [-0.175, -0.016], P = 0.029), with a higher concentration of LBW infants among mothers living in the lowest wealth quintile (poorest). Regression analysis revealed that maternal age, region, maternal education level, wealth index, height, age at 1st birth, and the child's aliveness (alive or died) at the time of the survey were significantly associated determinants of LBW in Bangladesh.

Conclusion: In this study, socioeconomic disparity in the prevalence of singleton LBW was evident in Bangladesh. Incidence of LBW might be reduced by improving the socioeconomic status of poor families, paying special attention to mothers who have no education and live in low-income households in the eastern divisions (e.g., Sylhet, Chittagong). Governments, agencies, and non-governmental organizations should address the multifaceted issues and implement preventive programs and policies in Bangladesh to reduce LBW.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Study flowchart of inclusion/exclusion of observations.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Prevalence of LBW among different groups of socioeconomic status.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Concentration curve for LBW babies ranked by wealth in Bangladesh.
Fig 4
Fig 4. The odds ratio for significantly associated determinants of LBW.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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